Just about all of the analysis surrounding the San Francisco 49ers and their on the field product centers on rushing these days. Defensively, they haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season and have not allowed a rushing touchdown all season, the first team since 1929 to do that it for 11 straight games. They're two games shy of the league record for straight games of not allowing a rushing touchdown - a record that dates back to 1920.
But don't forget about the offensive side of the ball. San Francisco experienced a brief moment of worry at the beginning of the season when the team fell short of 100 yards for the first few games, but then feature running back Frank Gore rushed for yardage totals of 127, 125, 141, 134 and 107 in straight games. Gore was injured three weeks ago and didn't have any yards for that game. He followed that up with 88 yards against the Arizona Cardinals, but only had 39 against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving.
This season, Gore passed Roger Craig for second place in 49ers franchise history in rushing yards. Now, he needs just 22 yards on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams to pass up Joe Perry to become the franchise's leading rusher. Many folks are wondering how much Gore has left, what with all of the injuries and the like, but he's been on fire this season. It's only fitting that he moves into first place, he's been so great for such a bad team for so many seasons.
Gore will also be looking to simply out-gain Steven Jackson on Sunday. The two are always game when the 49ers play the Rams, and they've been battling for the title of best running back in the NFC West for years now. With Seattle and Arizona lacking a dog in that fight, the competition has become rather heated. Jackson was also the last running back to score a touchdown on the 49ers - last season. The team has gone 51 straight quarters since then without allowing a rushing touchdown. Can he get another against them?